Altair Therapeutics Formed to Exploit Isis IP

Altair Therapeutics has been created on the basis of Isis Pharmaceuticals antisense IP. Isis will own 18% of Altair, which will focus on respiratory conditions.

Under this transaction, Altair gains the exclusive, worldwide license for the development and commercialization of ISIS 369645. The compound is an inhaled inhibitor of the IL-4/IL-13 signaling pathways.

The companies will also collaborate to discover drugs directed to other targets. Altair will pay Isis development milestones and royalties related to ISIS 369645 and other drugs arising out of the partnership.

“Altair is assembling a focused team of experts in both antisense drug discovery and development and respiratory conditions to advance antisense drugs including ISIS 369645,” according to Jeff Jonas, M.D., evp of Isis.